Lucedale Haitians worry about family, friends after massive quake

LUCEDALE, MS (WLOX) - For a group of Haitians living in Lucedale, every minute that passes is torture. Since Tuesday's damaging earthquake, it has been impossible to contact anyone in Haiti.

Native Haitians Jean Merant and Marie Richardson simply cannot hold back their tears after seeing their homeland left in ruins.

"I feel sad for my people, I feel sad for my family and all my country," Merant said as he continued to cry.

The two looked at photos to remind them of happier times in Haiti.

"This is my oldest sister and this is her daughter," Richardson said holding the pictures.

"This is my wife," Merant said.

Now, Merant and Richardson fear the worst - that their missing loved ones are trapped and possibly dead beneath the earthquake's rubble. They watch news reports hour after hour looking for signs of hope in the horror.

"It is tough for us it, is tough for us," Merant said.

"This surprised us, we didn't see this coming," Richardson said.

Merant said he spoke to family by phone just 30 minutes before the catastrophe. Since then, he has tried to track them down day and night, but still hasn't received any answers.

"I keep calling and calling. That is all I do, nothing else but call my country."

"I hope they are still alive," Richardson said about her family.

They also hope help will come quickly for all those left homeless and helpless in Haiti.

"Help my people because my people really need your help. I thank you very much for that," Marent said.

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